McALLEN, Texas - A 38-year-old Mexican national who was
trying to escape from law enforcement and nearly struck a Border Patrol (BP)
agent in the process has been ordered to federal prison, announced U.S.
Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Miguel Mendez-Fajardo pleaded guilty March 28, 2019.
Today, U.S, District Judge Randy Crane ordered him to
prison for a total of 44 months. Not a U.S. citizen, Mendez-Fajardo is expected
to face deportation proceedings following the sentence. At the hearing,
additional evidence was also provided that detailed how Mendez had been
harboring aliens in his stash house for several months. In handing down the
sentence, the court noted the dangerousness of his conduct, to the point where
his vehicle almost careened into a ditch - just hanging over the edge the
embankment.
The investigation revealed Mendez-Fajardo was harboring
illegal aliens at his residence in Mission. Law enforcement observed him leave
the stash house and attempted to pull him over. Instead of complying, Mendez
tried to run over a BP agent, forcing the agent to jump out of the way to avoid
being struck.
Mendez continued to flee from law enforcement at high
rate of speed through a neighborhood before crashing into a ditch.
Authorities ultimately discovered six illegal aliens at
his stash house.
Mendez-Fajardo will remain in custody pending transfer to
a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
BP conducted the investigation with assistance from the
Hidalgo County Precinct 4 Constables office. Assistant U.S. Attorney David A.
Lindenmuth is prosecuting the case.